‘Grooming law enforcers’: New strategy organised crime groups are using
Organised crime groups are using a new strategy to target law enforcers to exploit personal and sensitive information in a bid to bring drugs into Australia.
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Organised crime groups are trawling social media platforms for opportunities to exploit law enforcers as they actively seek to infiltrate police and border agencies for intelligence to traffic drugs through our ports and wharves, police investigators have found.
An Australian Federal Police “highly protected” report had already noted the maritime and air industries remained Australia’s most vulnerable for compromise with individuals using family ties and cultural-based personal networks to move drug consignments through ports notably in Sydney and Melbourne.
The culture networks relate to direct familial ties to organised crime from Southeast Europe, namely Macedonia, Greece, Croatia, Albania and Serbia.
But it has now found crime groups have stepped up with a long-game program of “deliberate” targeting of law enforcers via social media to exploit personal or sensitive information or even look at social interests including sport to share.
Such is the entrenchment of corruption on the waterfront particularly, the grooming of law enforcers is viewed as a long term game with the relationship looked to flourish over years rather than just a quick attempt at exploitation.
The document, seen by News Corp Australia, reveals weaknesses along the entire chain of the cargo shipping industry from logistics, brokerages and suppliers, transport and trucking with police intelligence of movements carrying their illicit goods invaluable as to whether an import had already been detected or flagged as suspect and therefore should be abandoned.
They also specifically target officers who have the ability to make decisions that can be exploited, such as deciding when an import – by sea or air – should be looked at or not.
“The volume is so great, (organised crime groups) don’t care if they lose one or two shipments if they know they are being tracked, with another five or six already on their way the profits of which eclipse any losses incurred from ones they have to abandon,” one senior enforcer said on the condition of anonymity.
It can also be revealed police have evidence organised crime groups were also now actively running counter surveillance operations against them, including harvesting details about police operations, informants and modus operendi and law enforcement methodologies.
Previously it had largely just been terror suspects that were detected running counter surveillance ops against police but AFP officers have been warned organised crime groups were now tracking them.
Both the weaknesses of our ports and targeting of police has been specifically branded a “significant” national security risk.
It is to the point criminal suspects are using decoy cars and trucks on runs with second crews watching who is following them, tracking particularly how Australian Border Force intelligence inspect sea ports and containers and recruiting private security firms to sweep for bugs and trackers police may have placed on their cars and homes.
The AFP has noted criminals were now so tech savvy and understanding of police tactics traditional police methods were being “tested” like never before and it had to “adapt and evolve to address the new threats”.
Law enforcers have also noted the “unique culture” of law enforcement creating vulnerability with former police or border force officers looking to “reach back”.
“Reach back occurs when former law enforcement employees seek out serving employees to provide favours, access, or information,” police have noted.
It adds: “The nature of law enforcement work can create an intense group loyalty, which can be maintained even in the face of corruption by colleagues and at the expense of the expectations of the agency. This loyalty can extend even after officers leave law enforcement employment, allowing them inappropriate access to information or law enforcement decision-making.”
DRUG BUSTS
MAY 18, 2021
A 43-year-old man sentenced to 14 years and five months’ jail for his involvement in planning to import over 500 kilograms of cocaine into Australia via the Solomon Islands in 2018. Two Sydney men were arrested in September 2018. A Belgian-registered, double-masted yacht Vieux Malin was searched at a mooring outside the Honiara marina. A large quantity of cocaine was found concealed within the vessel and seized. The cocaine was loaded onto the vessel in South America and was destined to be imported into Australia. The vessel contained 501 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated street value between
$A125 million and $250 million.
MAY 4, 2021
Attempts by an organised crime syndicate to import approximately 74.5 kilograms of heroin from China to NSW and Western Australia thwarted. Officers in China intercepted multiple suspicious consignments destined for Australia. Officers allegedly found 254 blocks of ‘half-catti’ Double UOGlobe-branded heroin vacuum sealed in foil bags, which were removed and replaced with an inert substance before four consignments were forwarded to their intended destinations – three in Newcastle, NSW, and one to Perth in Western Australia. On April 22, a 23-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly collected one package sent to a residence in Lambton in the Hunter Region. On May 4, AFP and Australian Border Force investigators arrested a 17-year-old girl after she allegedly took possession of a package that was supposed to contain 22 kilograms of heroin.
APRIL 30, 2021
Two more Australians were arrested and charged in connection to a major joint international MDMA drug investigation originating in the Netherlands in 2019. The pair were extradited from NSW to face charges in Queensland. The pair are accused of being members of an Australian-based criminal syndicate who attempted to take possession of 150kg of MDMA in Queensland on October 30, 2019. In 2019, 10 people were arrested by authorities offshore in the Netherlands and Belgium, along with a 50-year-old Sydney woman.
APRIL 30, 2021
Investigations continuing after almost 540 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine, worth an estimated $80.7 million, were discovered concealed inside two shipping containers of 9360 canola oil bottles sent from Mexico to Melbourne. Forensic testing later confirmed 269 of the bottles contained an estimated 538 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine rather than canola oil.
APRIL 9, 2021
Two Sydney men charged with allegedly importing 63 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden inside shipping pallets from Malaysia, with an estimated street value of $18.9 million. A 36-year-old Bexley man and a 27-year-old Merrylands man were arrested after Australian Federal Police officers conducted a controlled delivery of the consignment to an address in Guildford West. The investigation began in March 2021 when a consignment labelled as mop buckets was examined by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers in Sydney. Further forensic examination revealed 18 wooden pallets had methamphetamine concealed within the wooden slats, with approximately 63 kilograms uncovered.
APRIL 8, 2021
A 35-year-old man from Western Sydney charged with allegedly importing approximately 20 kilograms of methamphetamine and 10 kilograms of cocaine in consignments labelled as small electric motors and pool pumps. Officers identified two consignments from Italy containing approximately five kilograms of cocaine each, and a further three consignments from the US containing approximately 20 kilograms of methamphetamine in total.
MARCH 30, 2021
Five men allegedly connected to 180kg of cocaine seized in 2019 arrested following raids across Sydney. Police will allege the men are part of a transnational criminal syndicate that intended to distribute the drugs throughout Australia. The cocaine, allegedly supplied by a Mexican drug cartel was hidden in a shipment of aluminium alloy. The cocaine had an estimated street value of $47m, with the potential to provide up to 940,000 individual street deals.
MARCH 19, 2021
Senior Hells Angels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang member allegedly caught with 10kg of methamphetamine after the 53-year-old allegedly dug up a duffel bag containing the drugs from bushland in Edgewater, Western Australia. The man was charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs. The offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
MARCH 12, 2021
Two men charged with failed plot to allegedly import 600 grams of methamphetamine sent in vehicle parts from Africa. The men, aged 33 and 32, were arrested in the Perth suburb of Belmont after AFP officers allegedly watched them make three trips to a hardware store to purchase various hand and power tools. They were each charged with import a marketable quantity of border controlled drugs, and attempt to possess a marketable quantity of border controlled drugs. The offence carries a maximum 25 years’ imprisonment.
MARCH 12, 2021
A 27-year-old South Australian man was charged after 200kg of cocaine was allegedly located on board a vessel off the NSW coast. Authorities allegedly tracked a cargo vessel — MSC JOANNA — as it made its way to Sydney, where the 27-year-old man launched a small vessel from Taren Point, in Sydney’s south, to meet with the MSC JOANNA. Police allege 11 green lidded crates containing 199 blocks of cocaine – with an estimated street value of $90m – were offloaded from the cargo vessel and transported to the smaller vessel, which was later intercepted by police. The man was arrested at sea and later charged with a raft of offences including import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs and possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug. Officers also seized about $500,000 in case from a storage unit in Caringbah.
FEBRUARY 19, 2021
A 45-year-old man Belfield man was charged with importing a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs after officers allegedly seized about 25kg of drugs including methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine. Victoria Police Detective Inspector Mark Newlan estimated the alleged seizure amounted to 142,000 point of meth, 35,000 caps of heroin, and 10,000 lines of cocaine.
FEBRUARY 13, 2021
Three Indian nationals charged with allegedly attempting to import a border controlled substance into Australia. Investigations began on January 4 when Australian Border Force officers allegedly detected 40kg of methamphetamine concealed in crane counterweights shipped from Mexico. After consignments allegedly concealed 8kg of isopropylbenzylamine (a meth precursor), heroin, cocaine and other drugs totalling more than 100kg. Three men, aged 22, 32, and 38, were charged after raids on properties in Keilor Park and Melbourne’s Southbank. The men were each charged with importation of commercial quantities of border controlled drugs, possessing commercial quantities of unlawfully imported border controlled drugs, and dealing in proceeds of crime.
FEBRUARY 12, 2021
Twenty-five-year-old man charged over his alleged role in importing 276 grams of methamphetamine, worth about $276,000, from the US. The man was arrested after he allegedly ripped open a stuffed toy llama wrapped in Christmas paper and sent to a WA address. The man was charged with attempting to possess a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug. The offence carries a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment.
FEBRUARY 5, 2021
Two Malaysian nationals charged with the alleged importation of 8kg of methamphetamine hidden inside a shipment of water filters sent to a Melbourne address. The men, 26 and 29, were arrested after searches of addresses in the Melbourne CBD and Docklands allegedly uncovered $147,000 in cash, 19kg of 1,4-Butanedoil, 22kgs on methamphetamine, 20kg of methyl alpha-phenylacetoacetate, seven mobile phones and SIM cards. Their charges follow that of another 27-year-old Malaysian national in October, 2020.
FEBRUARY 4, 2021
Two men, 19 and 23, charged with over the alleged importation of ice concealed in air cargo consignments sent to Sydney from the US. Australian Border Force officers allegedly discovered 4kg of Ice, with a street value of $3 million – hidden in furniture items. The men were arrested during a vehicle stop in Wetherill Park, in Sydney’s south west, where the younger man was allegedly found in possession of cocaine. The 23-year-old man was charged with possess commercial quantity suspect illegal import border-controlled drug and possess prohibited drug. The 19-year-old man was charged with supply prohibited drug.
FEBRUARY 4, 2021
Gold Coast man, 37, charged with allegedly importing 120 litres of Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL) worth $450,000 concealed in plastic bottles labelled as “cleaning supplies”, “skincare products”, and “fishing gear”. The bottles containing the clear liquid sent via air cargo were examined by Australian Border Force offices in Sydney and Melbourne. The Clear Island Waters man was charged with six counts of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug. The maximum penalty for this office in life imprisonment.
JANUARY 28, 2021
An Australia Post subcontractor charged with allegedly using his position to facilitate the importation of methamphetamine into NSW. The drugs were allegedly concealed inside a consignment of 210 nicotine vape bottles flown into Sydney. Testing later revealed the bottles allegedly contained 12.6 litres of liquid methamphetamine. The 35-year-old man from Parramatta in Sydney’s west was charged with two counts of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, one count of possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug and one count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment.
JANUARY 24, 2021
Canadian national arrested in the Netherlands after acing on an INTERPOL Red Diffusion issued by the Australian Federal Police. The 57-year-old man is of “significant interest” to the AFP and other law enforcement agencies. A warrant for his arrest was issued in 2019 after AFP-led Operation Volante dismantled an alleged global crime syndicate operating in five countries.
JANUARY 22, 2021
Four men and a woman allegedly part of a transnational criminal syndicate charged after the seizure of 81kg of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of $60 million, allegedly hidden inside a consignment of meat smokers flown into Melbourne from Cape Town, South Africa. The five, aged between 28 and 59, were charged with a raft of offences including trafficking a commercial quantity of drugs, and dealing with proceeds of crime.
JANUARY 18, 2021
Two Iranian nationals charged with the alleged importation of about 250kg of methamphetamine concealed in several consignments, with an estimated street value of $187 million. The man, 30, and woman, 26, were arrested in Sydney. About 100kg of methamphetamine was allegedly detected hidden in bench tops sent to Melbourne from Iran in December, while another 150kg in three separates consignments were also allegedly linked to the pair. The man and woman were arrested after raids on a warehouse and properties in Blacktown, Merrylands, and Doonside in Sydney’s west and south west. They were both charged with importing a commercial quantity of boarder controlled drugs. The offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
DECEMBER 11, 2020
Man, 26, man charged over an alleged $1.8 million drug haul after three separate packages were sent from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates destined for an address in Adelaide. The drugs were allegedly concealed in three mock pulley wheels with a combined 3.6kg of methamphetamines. The man was charged with one count of trafficking a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug.
DECEMBER 11, 2020
Five men across Western Sydney and London arrested after a shipment of almost 450kg of MDMA was allegedly found concealed in an excavator imported to Australia from the UK. The suspect shipment was originally inspected by Australian Border Force officers in Brisbane in March. An examination of the excavator’s arm allegedly revealed 226 plastic bags containing 448kg MDMA, with an estimated street value of $79 million. There men were arrested in the UK, while two other men, 33 and 42, were arrested in Sydney’s west and charged with attempting to possess commercial quantities of border controlled drugs. The offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
DECEMBER 6, 2020
Man, 33, from NSW charged over alleged seizure of 200kg of methamphetamine imported into Melbourne from Canada in April, 2019. He was charged with organising the drug importation, which had an estimated street value of $150 million. The drugs were allegedly concealed in black plastic-wrapped cardboard boxes purporting to be whitegoods.
NOVEMBER 23, 2020
Four alleged members of a transnational criminal syndicate charged following the seizure of more than 560kg of liquid methamphetamine – the largest importation in Victorian history. The drugs were allegedly stashed inside a consignment of mustard bottles flown into Melbourne via air cargo from Chicago, US. The drugs have an estimated street value of $123 million. The four men, aged between 28 and 34, were charged with offences including importing commercial quantities of border controlled drugs and attempted possession of border controlled drugs.
NOVEMBER 19, 2020
Self-described “Queen” of criminal drug smuggling syndicate sentenced to 18 years’ jail. Michelle Ngoc Tran, 49, from the Melbourne suburb of Richmond, was charged with a string of offences including importing and trafficking commercial quantities of heroin. The woman was the Australian contact for a Malaysian-based supplier which used international airline cabin crew to smuggle an estimated $6 million of heroin into Melbourne.
NOVEMBER 13, 2020
Japanese national, 28, jailed for nine years after 1.7kg of pure methamphetamine discovered in his luggage at Brisbane Airport, with the man later passing two packages of ketamine, weighing 83.9 grams, which he had been concealing internally. The man arrived into Brisbane from London via Hong Kong on January 12, 2020.
NOVEMBER 12, 2020
Western Sydney man, 42, arrested over the alleged importation of 20kg of methamphetamine concealed in a portable disinfectant tunnel sent from Iran. The concealment was first detected by Australian Border Force officers on November 3. The man was charged with one count of attempt to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug. The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.
NOVEMBER 11, 2020
Three people – including a 17-year-old boy – jailed for a combined 17 years for their involvement in the importation of 24kg of methamphetamine concealed inside a shipment of treadmills imported into Melbourne from Thailand in October, 2019. The trio, a 31-year-old woman, an 18-year-old man, and the 17-year-old boy, were each sentenced to between four years and seven jails in jail. Thai authorities later seized another 176kg of methamphetamine.
OCTOBER 29, 2020
A 57-year-old woman and her 28-year-old son jailed over a string of drug offences including trafficking methamphetamine. The woman from Deer Park in Melbourne facilitated the sale of the methamphetamine to a co-accused with her son, a Sunshine North local, delivering the drugs. The woman was sentenced to 10 years’ jail with a non-parole period of seven years, while her son was sentenced to 12 years’ jail with a non-parole period of six years.
OCTOBER 27, 2020
Malaysian national, 27, charged over the alleged importation of 6kg of methamphetamine into Melbourne via a consignment sent from Vancouver, Canada on September 27, 2020. The drugs were allegedly hidden in water filter cartridges. The man was charged with importing commercial quantities of border controlled drugs and attempting to possess commercial quantities of border controlled drugs.
OCTOBER 17, 2020
Sydney woman, 47, charged over her alleged involvement in the importation of about 117kg of methamphetamine hidden in a shipment of latex gloves in July, 2020. The drugs were allegedly concealed in 12 cardboard boxes containing 47 individually-wrapped clear plastic bags. They were seized by authorities in the US with the woman arrested after arriving at a business address in Rydalmere, in Sydney’s north west to collect the consignment. She was charged with one count of attempt to import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs, and one count of attempt to possess a commercial quantity of unlawfully imported border controlled drugs. The offences carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
OCTOBER 15, 2020
Canadian man, 27, sentenced to 9.5 years in jail after being found guilty of importing about 161kg of methamphetamine hidden inside luggage on February 29, 2020. The man arrived into Melbourne Airport with a second man from Vancouver, Canada. X-rays of his luggage uncovered 16 1kg packages of methamphetamine concealed within four suitcases.
OCTOBER 13, 2020
Man, 37, with links to Comanchero Outlaw Motorcycle Gang charged with attempting to import methamphetamine from Turkey. A shipment containing bathrobes, towels and fabric allegedly soaked in 1kg of liquid amphetamine, and bound for Sydney was intercepted in by authorities in Turkey. The man from Kellyville, in Sydney’s north west, was charged with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs, and dealing with proceeds of crime. The offences carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
OCTOBER 10, 2020
Two men charged after 11.3kg of cocaine discovered hidden in an alternator on-board a shipping container which arrived in Port Botany in Sydney from Chile. The drugs were allegedly contained in 10 packages wrapped in silver tape. A 37-year-old Dundas Valley man charged with importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs, and attempting to possess a commercial quantity of unlawfully imported border controlled drugs. A 51-year-old Eastwood man, a Chilean national, charged with importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs, and one count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of unlawfully imported border controlled drugs. The men face a potential maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
OCTOBER 3, 2020
Austrian man, 30, sentenced to nine years for importing 1.8kg of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of $1.3 million, concealed in the lining of a suitcase after arriving on a flight into Sydney from Qatar in February, 2019. The man later pleaded guilty to importing a commercial quantity of methamphetamine.
OCTOBER 2, 2020
40kgs of methamphetamine and 18kg or cocaine – worth more than $38 million – allegedly found concealed in 21 boxes of adult sex toys sent to Melbourne from the United Kingdom. Search warrants conducted on homes in the Melbourne suburbs of Belfield and Thomastown. Investigations are continuing and charges are yet to be laid.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2020
Two men charged after two shipments of methamphetamine totalling 13.2kg allegedly hidden in vehicle parts sent via air cargo consignment from the US to Sydney seized. The men, aged 31 and 27, charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of and unlawfully imported border controlled drug. The maximum penalty for this office is life imprisonment.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2020
US man, 33, charged with the importation of amphetamine and trafficking cocaine. Authorities allegedly intercepted 1.5kg of methamphetamine hidden in five bottles of hair products imported by the man from France. He is also alleged to have trafficked cocaine from Melbourne to another person in Sydney through the mail. The man was charged with one count of importation of a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, attempted possession of a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, and trafficking a controlled drug.
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Originally published as ‘Grooming law enforcers’: New strategy organised crime groups are using
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